AUSTIN, Texas — Drew Dickey can't believe how fast his high school football career has gone.

The Regents School of Austin quarterback grew up watching his older brothers come through the program. Now the senior is preparing for his final season with the Knights.

"I came to every game, imagining what it's going to be like to play under the lights on Friday night," Dickey said. "It’s all just kind of crazy and surreal how fast it moves."

A three-star recruit, Dickey verbally committed to Vanderbilt University in April. He said Vanderbilt's academic reputation, combined with the opportunity to play against the best competition in the Southeastern Conference, lured him to Nashville.

"Being the quarterback, you just are that leader, so you have to find the way to best relate to your guys," Dickey said. "Grow that bond with your team and, you know, bring the best out of everyone there and create that unity."

Dickey led Regents to its first TAPPS state title in 2010 last season. The Knights used a 70-yard interception return for a touchdown on the game's final play for a dramatic 26-20 win over Dallas Christian for the Division II championship.

"It was kind of like a little bit too good to be true, especially the ending and everything," Dickey said. "We didn’t know if we were gonna have a season, but we were willing to run without seeing the finish line. It really felt good."

It was the fifth straight TAPPS title game appearance for Regents, but the first time they claimed the title. 

"We belong at the top, like the legacy we’ve built for this program," Dickey said. "We’re gonna have a target on our back every single game we play.”

Now the challenge for Dickey and his teammates will be repeating this fall.